Pacific salmon — 11 U.S. species endangered by climate change

11 U.S. species endangered by climate change

Pacific salmon

A vital part of the food chain for humans and wildlife, salmon are threatened across the Pacific coast. Already threatened by dams and overfishing, salmonids typically die when exposed for a length of time to fresh water temperatures above 72 degrees. Global warming has pushed the average summer temperatures of many West Coast river systems above that mortality threshold.